DIY: Reactive Foil Transfer

Did you know, you can make your own expensive looking foil coated cards and invitations at home using your trusty laser printer, a standard laminator and inexpensive transfer foil?

Neither did we until recently, so we tasked our resident 'craft expert' Tom to give it a go and let us know how it's done. If you're more of a 'visual learner' you can skip below to see the video of the process in action. If not, here's how it's done:

How it’s Done:

For this process to work you must use a laser printer, images printed using an inkjet printer will not work. As a work around you could print your image with an inkjet printer and then take this to be photocopied onto your preferred stock.

2. Measure the amount of foil you need to cover the area you want to coat and lay it over with the ‘mirrored’ side up.

The foil will stick to any toner but not to any of the unprinted surface. Any unused foil that goes through the laminator cannot be re-used so make sure to only cut enough to cover what you need.

3. Sandwich the Card / Foil between two sheets of standard copy paper.

This protects the foil as it goes through the laminator.

4. Send the layered assembly through the laminator.

The heat setting will depend on your laminator but we found a medium high heat worked best for us. Too cold and the foil will not adhere properly to the toner. To hot and the foil will ripple, and un-foiled toner areas will be damaged. It is best to experiment with your laminator / card / foil combination before going for your final product.

5. Stand Back and admire your work!

You've done it! Now you need to resist the urge to foil everything that comes out of the printer!